Dramatic Miniseries Event Tells the Untold Story of the Making of the Ill-fated Vessel

Beverly Hills, Calif., August 28, 2012 – The U.S. television premiere of the dramatic ENCORE Original miniseries, “Titanic: Blood and Steel,” is set to debutMonday, October 8th through Saturday, October 13 at 8pm et/pt on ENCORE. The 12-part miniseries will air over six consecutive nights, with two episodes airing back-to-back each night, as part of ENCORE’s “Big Miniseries Showcase,” a weekly programming destination of fan favorites and classic titles.

Set in Belfast during the early 20th century, the 12-part miniseries depicts the story of historical figures, JP Morgan – played by Golden Globe® nominee Chris Noth (“The Good Wife,” “Sex and the City,” “Law And Order: Criminal Intent”) – the Titanic owner who has ambitious dreams to build a passenger ship of unparalleled size and luxury, and Lord William Pirrie – played by Sir Derek Jacobi (The King’s Speech, “The Borgias”) – the struggling Chairman of the Harland and Wolff shipyard. Kevin Zegers (“Gossip Girl,” Frozen) stars as the fictitious Mark Muir, a mysterious and inquisitive young scientist, who raises many valid questions about the quality and safety of steel throughout the ship’s construction. Neve Campbell (Scream, “Party of Five”) portrays Joanna Yaeger, a progressive American journalist with ulterior motives for reporting on the ship’s maiden voyage. Alessandra Mastronardi (To Rome with Love,Nero Fiddled, Don’t Tell) stars as Sofia Silvestri, a skilled copyist who seeks to break the societal constraints women experienced while living in a patriarchal age.

“Timed with the 100th anniversary of the ship’s voyage, ‘Titanic: Blood and Steel’ offers ENCORE viewers an intricately woven and visually satisfying addition to our ‘Big Miniseries Showcase,’” said Stephan Shelanski, EVP of Programming for Starz Entertainment. “Focusing less on the familiar romanticized stories about the ship, the miniseries reveals how the construction of the Titanic was a symbol of perseverance and socio-political progress.”

“Titanic: Blood & Steel” chronicles the story of human relationships and adversity, that led to the birth of the legendary RMS Titanic. To its wealthy investors, it was a dream. To the middle class who oversaw the project, it was a challenge. But to the working class who built it, Titanic was the start of a revolution. With Ireland under British rule, and the Protestant and Catholic struggle intensifying, Titanic was more than a ship – it was a symbol of ambition, hope and unity.

“Titanic: Blood and Steel” was shot over four months in Serbia and Ireland. The creative team built a life-size replica of the original ship’s hull in a setting that accurately depicted the Belfast shipyard. The cast, as well as hundreds of extras, were individually outfitted into authentic Italian and English costumes and accessories, dating back to 1912. The miniseries is written by Mark Skeet and Matthew Faulk (Hannibal, Vanity Fair) Alan Whiting (Kingdom, Wire in the Blood), along with Francesca Brill and consultation by Jonathan Prince (American Dream, The Cleaner). Ciaran Donnelly (“Camelot,” “The Tudors”) directed the project, which was produced by Paul Myler (In America), Andrea Zoso (“The Borgias”), Justin Thomson-Glover (Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap). Emmy® award winner Tom Conroy (“Camelot,” “The Tudors”) led the production design. Luciano Capozzi (“The Falcon and the Dove”) served as costume designer.